Type-writing machine.



R. S. BLAIR. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED FEB. 21, 1910.

Patehted Aug. 25, 19141 WITNESSES.

ROBERT S. BLAIR, OF SOUTH O RANGE, new JERSEY, ASSIGNOR To THE NOISELES'S TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNIECTICUT. A CORPORATION OE CONNECTICUT.

. TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Yatent,

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

Application filed February 21. 1910. Serial No. 545,174.

- To all whom it may concern v to provide a mechanism of the v acter that will permit the operator to write io'ipag claims. I

which a swinging type 1 up on its Be it known that'l, ROBERT citizen of the United States, residing at South Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type- WVriting Machines, of which the following 15 a full, clear, and exact description, such as I will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and with regard to the more s ecific features thereof, to ty e actions there or.

One of the objects oi the present invention is to provide a simple and practical type action' whereby the touch will be greatly improved.

Another object of thepresent invention is above charwith. a less expenditure of energy than has heretofore been possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a type action with a printing instrumentality adaptedtobe swung toward the platen Without producing a reactive strain ivot point.

A f rt er Iobjectof the invention is to pnovide mechanism of the above nature in which substantially the actuating member follows the type bar and urges it at increasing speed throughout its entire movement. Other. objects will be in-part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

w The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which willibe exemplified inthe construction hereinafter set forth, andthe scope of the applicationof which will be indicated in the fol-- n the accompanying drawings, wherein mer ts of: my' in,vention,

d when-.11}, normal. position and also nin'at ic view of a. central type action showing Fig, 2 is asim-ilar view with the type. action in printing; position. Similar reference characters refer to simip alrts throughout both views of the drawings.

' Heretofore, in constructing type actions in' bar is used, due regard to the pint at force is applied to the printing instrumexie which the actuating 1 tain mechanical if the center of percussion were not brought is illustrated one of. many possible embodi- Figure 1 is a diatfe sain'e inan intermediate position in dottedhn'es,

point 5 of the typebar.

S. BLAIR, a One of the aims of the present invention to cure certain defects in typewriter construction by applying the force to the type bar at that point at which the best results and easiest action are obtainable. It is a well known principle of physics that if a pendulum is struck at its center of percussion the entire force of the blow will be converted into rotary motion without having any effect or strain whatsoever upon its pivotal point of suspension. This invention seeks to embody this idea in the type action of a typewriting machine, that is, to pivotally mount a type bar in such a manner that the 1 means connecting the same with the key lever, or other actuating member, substanltial-ly coincides. at its point of connection bar with the center of percuswith the type and acts in a line at substansion thereo tially'rightangles to a line between the conter of gravity and the center of percussion.

Referring now to the drawings in detail,

a key lever 1 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a fulcrum or knife edge '2 and is connected near its other end by a link. 3 with a type bar 4. This type bar is pivoted at 5 to any convenient part of the machine suitable for the purpose, to the style of machine invention is embodied.

according in which the present Printing instrumentalities 6 are provided at one end adapted to coact with a platen 7 in a well known manner, while the opposite end 8 is weighted to bring the center of percussion, dicated at the point 9, nearer which is into the pivot Theoretically speaking, the center of percussion is two-thirds of ;the length of a uniform simple pendulum I away from its point of suspension, but cerd-isadvantages would arise nearer to the pivot point.

The link 3 preferably comprises two similar strips of sheet metal or the like-adapted to span the kev lever l and the type bar 4 and connectedin any suitable manner, as by means, of pivots at either end, passing through these members. The type carrier 4 is provided with a slot 10 extending from the center of percussion 9 toward the pivot point 5 through which the pivot connecting the ends of the link 3 is adapted to pass and slide therealong as the. mecha nism is actu; ated inthe manner I I hereinafter described, Above the key'lever 1, andnorrnally, in contact with the link 23 is a rod 11 or the like adapted to act as a fulcrum for the link 23 and along which the same slides as the key lever is depressed. \s the key le\er is depressed the point 12 rotates upwardly along the dotted line 13 which tends to swing the opp =:ite end of the link 2 inwardly along the slot 10 in the type bar 4-. it is alsoto be noted that the length of the arms intowhich the link 3 is divided, considering the same as a lever, will constantly change so that as the key lever is depressed the speed of the type carrier will constantly increase-as the upper end of the link :3 lengthens and will have a constantly increasing rate of movement fora uniform rate of movement of the key. A suitable spring M is provided for returning these members to normal position and may be connected for instance to the key lever l and any suitable part of the frame.

The operation of this device is as follows:

..-'\s the key lever l is depressed the opposite end is raised and the pressure transmitted through link 3 directly to the type bar 4 at substantially its center of percussion and at right angles thereto. All of the force will tend to cause a rotary movement of the latter in overcoming its inertia so that the touch Will obviously be very light and easy. llowever, as the key lever is depressed the link 3 engaging the rod ll will act as a lever to aid in moving the type bar and constantly urge the same toward the platen, but its point of connection therewith will gradually approach its pivotal point so that it will move at increasing speed and the impact between the type and the platen will be quick and of relatively great pressure. The parts are, of course, returned to normal position under the action of the spring 14.

it is thus seen that this invention provides tor a. simple and practical type action with a small number of parts, which will ol course greatly reduce the cost of manu-tacture. and in which the entire force exerted by the operator on the. key lever will be transmitted to bring the type to the printing point in the easiest manner and in the shortest possible time.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the aecoinlainying drawings shall be interpreted 'as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generieand specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention WlilCl1,'&S a matter of language. might be said to fall therebotween.

Having described my invention, what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. in a typewriti-ng machine, in combination, a key lever, a type bar, and an intermediate connection between the key lever and the type bar for transmitting motion from one to the other, said connection engaging the latter substantially at the center of percussion.

2. In a typewriting machine, in combi nation, a key lever, an up *ardly swinging pivoted type bar and means connecting the. key lever with the type bar adapted to convey motion from one to the other and engaging the latter at substantially the center of percussion.

I In a typewriting machine, in combination, a key lever, a. pivoted type bar, and a link connecting the key lever with the type bar for transmitting motion from one to the other, said link engaging the latter at the beginning of its movement at substantially the center of percussion.

4. in a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever, a typo bar, and means for transmitting motion from the key lever to the type bar, said means engaging the latter at substantially its center-oi per-' eussion at the beginninp cl themovcment and capable ol shilthig its position as the type bar approaches the platen.

5. in a typcwriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lover, a pivoted type bar, means associated with said type .bar to bring its center of percussion relatively close to its pivot point, and means eonnecting the type bar at its center of percussion with said key lever, whereby motion is transmitted from oneto the other.

l). in a typewriting machine, in combination, aplaten, a key lever, a pivoted type bar, a weight at one end of said type bar for bringing the center of percussion thereof in close proximity to its-pivot, and a connection between the type bar at its center of percussion and said key lever.

T. In a typewrlting machine, in combination, av platen akey lever, a. pivot-ed type bar, a weight a t one end of said type bar for bringing the center of percussion thereof in elose'pro-xin'iity to its pivot, a. connection be tween the type ba at its center of percussion and said key lever, when said type bar is in normal position; and means whereby the point of contact of said type bar and said connection may change as the type bar approaches the platen. I

8. in a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen. a pivoted key lover, a pivoted type bar, said type bar having a slot surrounding its center of percussion and a link engaging the slot at one end and the key lever at its opposite end whereby motion is trar .i ed from one to the other.

LOO

9. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a pivoted key lever, a pivoted type bar, said type bar having a slotsurrounding its center of percussion, and a connection engaging the slot at'one' end and the key lever at its opposite end whereby motion is transmitted from one to the other, the force transmitted through said connection adapted to be applied initially at the center of percussion and to move away therefrom as the type bar approaches the platen.

10. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a pivoted key lever, a typebar, said type bar being pivoted adjacent its center of percussion, and a connection between the key lever and the type bar for transmitting motion. from one to the other adapted to apply the initial force substantially at the center of percussion.-

ll. In a typevvriting machine, incombination, a platen, a pivoted key lever, a type bar, said'type bar being pivoted adjacent its center of percussion, and a connection between the key lever and the type bar transmitting motion from one to the other adapted to apply the initial force substantiallyat the center of percussion, the point j of engagement being adapted to shift as the type bar approaches the platen.

12. In a typen 'riting machine, in combination, a platen, a pivoted key lever, a type bar, said type bar being pivoted adjacentits center of percussion, a link between the key lever and the type bar for transmitting inotion from one to the other and adapted to apply the initial movement at substantially the center of percussion, the point of engagement between said link and type bar being adapted to shift as the latter approaches the platen, and means for return ing said parts to normal position.

13. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a type bar pivgted intermediate its ends, a connection at substantially one end of said key lever adapted to engage said type bar at substantially its center of percussion, whereby pressure Will be applied at that point when the key lever is depressed.

14. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a type bar, a link connecting said key lever with said type bar'substantially at its center-of percussion, and means adapted to shift the point of engagement between said link and said type bar as the latter approaches the platen.

15. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever pivoted inter mediate its ends, a type-bar, a link connecting mg said key lever With said-type bar su'b stantially at its center of percussion and means for increasing the. peed of said type bar as said'key lever is actuated.

16. In a typewriting machine, in combination,v a platen, a key lever and a pivoted type bar, a link between the key lever and the type bar engaging the latter at substan tially the center of percussion, and means for shifting said point ofengagement as the type bar approaches the platen.

17. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen. a key lever and a pivoted type bar, a link between the key lever and the type bar engaging the latter at substantially the center of percussion, and means for increasing the speed of said type bar as the key lever is depressed.

18. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever and a pivoted -type bar, a link between the key lever and the type bar normally engaging the latter at substantially its center of percussion, and adapted to shift the point of engagement as the type bar approaches the platen, and means for increasing the speed of said type bar as the key lever is depressed.

19. In a typewriting machine, in combi- 'nation, a platen, a key lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a type bar, and a link connected with said key lever at substantially its center of percussion, said type bar having a slot with which said connecting link engages and in which it adapted to move as the type bar approaches the platen.

20. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a pivoted key lever, a pivoted ty e oar, a link connecting the key lever with the type bar'at substantially its center of percussion, and means engaging the said link. whereby the speed of said type bar is increased. as the type approaches the platen.

521. In a typcu'riting machine, in combination, a platen, a pivoted key lever. a pivoted type bar, a link connecting the key lever with the type bar at substantially its center of percussion, and a relatively movable member engaging said link adapted to act as a fulcrum, so that the speed of said type bar is increased as the key lever is depressed. 7

22. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a key lever pivoted intermediate its ends, a type bar having its pivot nation, a platen, a key lever pivoted intermediate its ends; a type bar having its pivot relatively close to its center of percussion,

a link connected with said type bar at its center of percussion and to one end of said key lever. wl'ierchy as said key lever is Ciepressed the "tori-e will be transmitted from said link to the type bar at its center of percussion to cause a rotary movement thereot toward the platen. and means connected with one of said parts for returning same to normal position.

2%. ln a typcwriting machine, in combination. a key lover. a type-bar, a pivot about which said type bar is adapted to turn, and a cmineetion between the'keylever and the type. bar for actuating the same, said type bar having a slot extending from its center of percussion toward its pivot point for receiving one end of the connection between the key lever a rid the type bar.

25. In a typewriting machine, in combination. a type bar having a pivot point and a. slot therein extending from its center of percussion toward said pivot point.

.26. in a typcwriting machine, in combination. a. type bar. and a pivot point therefor intermediate its ends, said type bar having a slot extending from its center of percussion toward said pivot point.

27. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a type bar having a weight at one end. a pivot point intermediate its ends, said type bar having a slot extending from its center of percussion toward said pivot point, said slot being on opposite side of said pivo point from said weighted end. I 28. In a t mewriting machine, in combination. a type bar having a weight at one end, a pivot point inte mediate its ends; said type bar ha ving a slot extending from its center of percussion toward said. pivot point, a hey love" and a connection between the key lever and the type bar at right angles to said-slot having its end normally coinciding with the center of percussion. whereby the force will be transmitted to that point when the key lever is depressed.

39. In a type action for typewriting machines. in combination. a type carrier, and actuating means therefor engaging the center of percussion of said type carrier. 7

30. In a typeaction for typewritiiig machines. in combination, a. pivoted type carrier. and actuating means therefor adapted to engage said type carrier at substantially its center of percussionand act initially in a direction at right angles to a line between its pivot point and its center of gravity.

31. In a type action for typewriting machines. in combination. a pivoted carrier. actuating means initially engaging said type carrier atits center of percussion. and means whereby said point of engagement is shifted as the type carrier is actuated.

32. In a type action for typewriting machines, in combination, a pivoted type carrier having a slot including its center of percussion and extending toward the pivot point, and actuating means initially engaging said slot at the center of percussion and adapted to move along said slot as the type carrier is actuated.

In a type action for typewriting machines. in combination, a type carrier, and actuating means for said type carrier operatively connected therewith through its cen ter of percussion. 1

31'. In a type action for typewriting machines, in combination, a pivoted type carrierfand actuating means for said type carrier operatively connected therewith at the beginning of. its movement through its center of percussion.

In a type action for typewriting machines. in combination, a type carrier having a weighted end, a pivot point intermediate the weighted end and, relatively close to. the center of percussion, and means for actuating said type carrier through its center of percussion.

36. In a type action for typewriting machines, in combination, a pivoted type carrier,

:1 key lever, and intermediate mechanism c0n.

meeting-said parts, including a variable leverage mechanism adapted to follow said carrier and urge it toward its printing position and throughout its entire travel up to printing position at a constantly increasing rate of speed.

In a type action for typewriting machines, in combination. a type carrier, and actuating means therefor, including a link adapted to act as a. lever engaging said type carrier and adapted tofollow the same to its printing position and constantly increase the rate of movement thereof to the printing point. i

in a type action for typewriting machines, in combination, a type carrier, an actuating member, and an intermediate variable leverage meehanism connected atone end to said type carrier at substantially its center of percussion.

.39. In a type action fortype-writing machines, in combination, a type carrier, an ac tuating mechanism, a link connecting said parts. and a fulcrum engagin'g'said link whereby the same acts as a lever, the struction and arrangement of said parts hei119; such as to constantly change. the relation between said link and fulcrum as the type carrier approaches the platen.

in testimony whereof I atlix my signature. it: the presence of two witnesses. ROBERT S. BLAIR.

Witnesses: I

LEONARD 'A. Vvn'rsolv, HENRY Ryan.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

